Experienced Suva defender Kavaia Rawaqa has been selected for Fiji’s FIFA World Cup qualifying squad. Rawaqa, who has not played for the national team in some time, has been brought back to replace Mosese Nabose at left-back, as Nabose has withdrawn from the team due to personal commitments.
Additionally, Suva forward Merrill Nand and tall Ba striker Etonia Dogalau, who were absent from earlier selections, have also been included in the squad. The Fiji team, coached by Rob Sherman, will kick off its campaign against the Solomon Islands at 7 pm on Thursday at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
The Fiji squad includes: Isikeli Sevanaia, Akuila Mateisuva, Jerome Narayan, Ivan Kumar, Samuela Kautoga, Gabriel Matanisiga, Filipe Baravilala, Kavaia Rawaqa, Epeli Leiroti, Sterling Vasconcellos, Sitiveni Cavuilagi, Setareki Hughes, Leroy Jennings, Aporosa Yada, Tevita Waranaivalu, Merrill Nand, Dave Radrigai, Rahul Krishna, Sairusi Nalaubu, Roy Krishna, Thomas Dunn, Nabil Begg, Etonia Dogalau.